16 



CATTLE. 



Oxen are never used for the plough, or on the road, en any of the 

 Hebrides. 



We have stated that more than 20,000 of the Hebridean cattle are 

 conveyed to the mainland, some of whicli find their way even to the 

 southernmost counties of England ; but, like the other Highland cattle, 

 their journey is usually slow and interrupted. Their first resting- 

 place is not a great way from the coast, for they are frequently win- 

 tered on the coarse pastures of Dumbartonshire ; and in the next 

 summer, after grazing aw^iile on the lower grounds, they are driven 

 farther south, where they are fed during the second winter on turnips 

 and hay. In April they are in good condition, and prepared for the 

 early gi-ass, on which they are finished. 



Many of these small cattle are permanently arrested in their journey, 

 and kept on low farms to consume tlie coarse grass, which other 

 breeds i*efuse to eat ; these are finished off on turnips, which are given 

 them in the field about the end of autumn, and they are sold about 

 Christmas. 



THE WEST HIGHLAND CuW. 



In the Outer Hebrides tlie black cattle are small but well pro- 

 portioned, and on the tackmen's farms they are generall}'- of good 

 breed, and, although not heavy, very handsome. Tliey are covered 

 with a thick and long pile during the winter and spring ; and a 

 good pile is considered one of the essential qualifications of i 

 cow. The most common colors are black, red, brown, or brand- 

 ered, (that is, a mixture of red and brown in stripes — brindled ) 

 A whitish dun color is also pretty frequently seen. The breed A 



